Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
(බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපොල)
International Airport
Katunayaka North
"You need to come here 2h in advance at least before the flight."(20 Tips)
"Expect some delay, it's preferred to to be 4 H early to departure"(21 Tips)
"nice foot massage @ foot rubs"(8 Tips)
"Free wi fi in The Coffee Bean, and yummy muffins!"(17 Tips)
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M Aldoss ♏September 17, 2016Nice organized Airport, easy to find your gate. The duty-free doesn't have all the colognes brands. The have few of good traditional Souvenir shops. ODEL has big collection of T-shirts(Worth a visit)
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Dave McDecember 27, 2018The facility is good and the staff is really polite and helpful, but get prepared for some pretty massive queues. Duty free is a little strange, and yes people do buy refrigerators at the airport! 😳
Upvote52DownvoteUpvoted Jan 3
You are entering a beautiful country with so much to offer, shame the country see's you as a commodity to extract a daily $ figure and charges 5x the local price for tourist attractions. a country witUpvote73Downvote1Upvoted 1 day ago
Elena ShiMay 8, 2016Note: they have Uber in Colombo. Go for it, it would be cheaper than any tuk-tuk around.Upvote59Downvote1Upvoted Dec 25, 2024- Dave McJanuary 3, 2019When departing, don’t report to the gate until boarding time. There is security at the gate also, like in Singapore, and after you enter there are no restrooms or shops inside to amuse you.
Upvote13DownvoteUpvoted Dec 23, 2024 
If you just arrived in Sri Lanka, I would recommend going for Dialogue SIM card for better 3G plansUpvote11Downvote- Simple DiscoveriesSeptember 5, 2016Simple low-frills airport. Get your visa online in advance to avoid any delays. Cheapest way into the city is Bus 187 which runs about 120 rupees. Pick up in the lot on left as exiting the airport.
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GigaApril 14, 2015For the first time in my life I've seen an airport, where you need to pay to enter Arrivals. Worth to note, if you're planning to meet your friends later or vice versa.
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Colombo Favourites cmbfav.comJanuary 9, 2014Welcome to Sri Lanka. For the best of Colombo, Shopping, Restaurants , Nightlife log on to http://www.cmbfav.com
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Sean MascarenhasMay 23, 2018Duty-free products on arrival is better than departure. Use Uber or, download PickMe for cheap and fixed rates for a local taxi or Tuk-Tuk. If you stay for a week or more pick a local SIM card.Upvote3Downvote
AlbrechtAugust 25, 2015Really funny that they sell fridges, washing machines, etc if you arrive. Enjoy Sri Lanka!Upvote4Downvote
NIALPENOctober 20, 2014Security check is very light and easy. Upstairs you can get cheaper Italian coffee at Barista (Lavazza), located near Coffee bean, just around the corner. Pass for LankaComWifi@CoffeeBean: mochajavaUpvote7Downvote
Sometimes the queue to get in at the entrance to the airport can be long. And worse the queues to check-in can be quite harrassing too, if you come in at a busy time.Upvote4Downvote
Marta M.February 26, 2018A couple of checkes before entering the check-in area, be prepared! Also you cant access dropp off more then 3 hours before the flying so you have to wait in a limbo between security and check-in.Upvote1Downvote
Gus EJuly 20, 2016The free wifi, #wifi@bia keeps dropping, bloody annoying when sat in a hot airport departure lounge!
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Topher LinAugust 22, 2017Instead of Uber, use local alternative PickMe. You can pay by cash or credit card, and you can choose between tuk-tuks, smartcars, sedans, and vans.Upvote1Downvote
Angel DominguezMarch 23, 2016If you have an ETA visa, don't wait in the visa line and go straight to immigration, just present passport and computer will use the ETA visa filed for your passport.Upvote2Downvote
SheilaSeptember 14, 2016Worst airport. You go through security 3x (once to get into the airport, once to get to the check in desks, once to get to your gate). Food is only available between security check 2 and 3.Upvote3Downvote
Johann LoMay 4, 2013If you're transiting here at gate 6-14, walk up a little till you see the Araliya Lounge for a free wifi treat. :)
Upvote2Downvote
Jasmin SorayaApril 8, 2017This place is a mess ! 😬Really crowded and undisciplined , the good thing is that you can see people of all nationalities at one place 😄👱🏻👨🏽👵🏿👧🏻👩🏾👱🏻♀️Upvote3Downvote
Tz KApril 26, 2017Well designed, small airport with modern facilities. While flying out make sure to go with some extra time in your hand as the shopping options available are excellent.UpvoteDownvote
Sergey KuznetsovFebruary 2, 2016Very crowded and has queues everywhere. To save time, get your passport and ticket ready right at the entrance. Also, as a passenger, you do NOT need to buy airport ticket (yes, it is a thing)Upvote1Downvote
Gish DesFebruary 13, 2015Great healthy food and not just rabbit food. Steaks and grilled chicken etc. roasted beetroot salad excellent.
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It's kind of sparse. Make sure to get any food or duty free before you go to your gate otherwise your stuck.Upvote2Downvote
AvannaApril 26, 2016Full amenities. Do note that everything at the airport are priced in USD and is more expensive from what you get outside. The foot massage place is quite good.UpvoteDownvote
Mr. Mu~ © 🚗December 30, 2016Small, but organized. I like using SriLankan airlines for far Asia trips. Good flights, great service and low cost.
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The major gateway to and from Sri Lanka. Clean and helpful service.Upvote2Downvote
James KaoNovember 17, 2013Not sure about the old complaints wrt restroom cleanliness. I used the men's room by the Lavazza & it was quite clean. The Lavazza also serves quite a good ice lemon tea. Not too sweet w/ real lemon.Upvote2Downvote
If your a foreign traveler who expect to take the bus to Colombo.don't go to bus stand.take the highwaybus from inside airport. http://nisalwrites.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/highway-bus-economy/Upvote1Downvote- Colombo Favourites cmbfav.comJune 1, 2012Welcome to Sri Lanka. To experience the best in Colombo, Shopping, Food and Entertainment. log on toUpvote5Downvote
Ankur BanerjeeJanuary 18, 2016Power sockets to charge your phone are dispersed sparsely through the terminal. Souvenir shops mostly sell the same thing with no variance, but a large number of shops to buy tea.Upvote1Downvote
Tim JonesSeptember 9, 2020Nice airport. Clean friendly. Hot dog and chips in the bar restaurant great, a life saver during these COVID-19 times.UpvoteDownvote
Glenn LatoneroSeptember 13, 2019There’s pizza hut, burger king, coffee bean and plenty of souvenir shops for those who are departing.
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3bdulhadi AAugust 31, 2023Small, well organized & clear informative signs around, I really loved it although the brief period of time I spent in itUpvoteDownvote
Free WiFi! Just type in your passport number as the password.Upvote1Downvote- Topher LinAugust 22, 2017The restaurants outside security are significantly cheaper than the ones inside (3 USD vs. 13 USD for a plate of noodles).Upvote1Downvote
hilarieFebruary 18, 2012After exiting arrival hall, turn left and keep walking till the end of the cover pedestrian. There is a free shuttle to the nearest bus terminal for intercity bus incl to Colombo. Photo: bus interior
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Stan ChangSeptember 14, 2019At departure, allow an hour extra for lines @ inbound cars, security entering terminal, document pre-check and baggage security, check-in, emigration (!!) and departure area security recheck. Insane!UpvoteDownvote
denys protsApril 29, 2017avoid long layovers here. you don't get much entertainment in transit area, except for poorly working wifi, ridiculously overpriced cafes ($6 for a cup of tea/coffee), many non-working power outlets.Upvote2Downvote
Currencies are good, can change. Better buy a sim here tooUpvote2Downvote- Gish DesAugust 24, 2015Massively improved over the last few years with more spacious and clean facilities and a few more interesting and comfortable options in the waiting areas. Serenading Business Check in needs improvingUpvoteDownvote
Several lounge choices and some other interesting shops selling cashews and other local products. Bring your premiere club card as the other lounge gets super crowded.UpvoteDownvote
Can pick up a local no. from Dialog at the airport - works out cheap during stay here. They also help you change INR - which the exchanges don't change.Rates are lesser than city so exchange small amtUpvote4Downvote
Wilson Favre-DelerueFebruary 9, 2019Fraying at the edges, though mostly clean if not very functional.Upvote2Downvote
Andrew PayneApril 18, 2017Flying out in evening to S Africa via Doha so needed few drinks to sleep. Expensive $4 a tinnie. Best bet is drink wine!
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Janice FishyJanuary 31, 2015If u coming to visit their country need visa or else they won't let you out unless u pay 35 dollar for per person to get access go out,and shop here all is in usd .
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Debi TaylorMay 11, 2024Warning if you are getting your visa on arrival, website says US$60, but you’ll be charged $98 and there’s nothing you can do about it. Best do it online beforehand if the website is actually working.UpvoteDownvote
Mateusz HerychMay 18, 2015Be aware of tuk-tuk scamers when you go out. Better talk to your hotel/host/friend to arrange you something. Buy a local simcard. It's cheap and will give you internet access almost everywhere.UpvoteDownvote
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Places inside Bandaranaike International Airport
- 5.7
"Free Wifi. Good Coffee & Breakfast. The Butterscotch Toffee and The French Vanilla Flavored Coffee is really good. The Cheese cakes and cup cakes are really delicious."
NatnZin - 6.1
"Cheapest items are from 3 USD onwards, they don't take local currency, and if they do, they convert from USD first, so you lose either way."
J Kofler - 6.0
"Cinnamon Tea is must try."
Chrys Cat
